Buffalo’s Best Beer Gardens

When I think of gardening, I think of dirty, sweaty, manual labor under an unrelenting sun. Terrible. Ah, but when I think of beer-gardening, I think of relaxing with cold brews on a lazy, sun-kissed summer afternoon. Wonderful.

In a happy coincidence, new breweries and beer gardens have sprung up all over Buffalo giving you an opportunity to skip the actual gardening and do some beer-gardening.

To help you maximize your experience I’ve paired some of Buffalo’s best beer gardens with the famous “gardens” they most resemble. Let’s review:

Hamburg Brewing

Botanical (Beer) Gardens

Hamburg Brewing Co., 6553 Boston State Rd.: Rumor has it that Hamburg Brewery used to be a golf course. That’s not the case but the brewery grounds could easily pass for a swanky country club. And the beer garden looks out over all the nature you’ll ever need.Go there if: You’re looking to recreate a scene from The Notebook. With beer!

(Beer) Gardener’s Cottage

Rusty NickelBrewing Co., 4350 Seneca St., West Seneca: Rusty Nickel Brewing is located south of the city in West Seneca behind the popular Ebenezer Ale House. Behind that? A cozy, rustic themed beer garden complete with hay bales and water features.Go there if: You’re trying to have a relaxing conversation or plotting to take over the world.

Hydraulic Hearth

(Beer) Garden of Eden

Hydraulic Hearth, 716 Swan St.: Frolic in this urban paradise for hours. Besides the requisite beer selection the expansive, urban beer garden features pergolas, great views of the now constant activity at Larkinville, and two shuffleboard courts.Go there if:You and your friends are looking to do some day drinking.

Resurgence Brewing Co.

Better Homes and (Beer) Gardens

Resurgence Brewing Co., 1250 Niagara St. : As hip as anything in the pages of the latest design magazine. You can watch the brewers work from your seat at one of the indoor picnic tables or head outside to the fire pit for a West Coast vibe.Go there if: Your day beer-gardening turns into night beer-gardening.

42 North Brewing Co.

Madison Square (Beer) Garden

The Dish, Canalside: Canalside is THE place for concerts and events in Buffalo these days and the The Dish’s beer garden gives you a front row seat to all the action.Go there if: The people watching. All the people watching.

42 North Brewing Co.,25 Pine St., East Aurora: Dubbed “The Community Living Room,” this East Aurora hot spot is quickly making a name for itself. Their beer garden behind the brewery includes a fire pit.Go there if: Your living room is no longer an acceptable venue for game night.